E - Gazette Mk II

New Zealand Antique amp Historical Arms Association Inc 88 May 2018

httpwwwantiquearmsorgnz

The e-Gazette Mk II is a monthly news-letter circulated free to members of the NZAHAA and their friends by

e-mail only It may be copied and forwarded to fellow collectors we ask that any material used by others is

acknowledge to this publication

Copyright where indicated remains with the contributor of the item

Views expressed here are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NZAHAA or its

Branches

All correspondence relating to the e-Gazette should be addressed to

The Editor Phil Cregeen at oilyragxtraconz To unsubscribe e-mail the Editor

All correspondence relating to NZAHAA membership should be addressed to the National Secretary

PO Box 694 Rangiora 7440 e-mail nzahaasecretarygmailcom

EDITORIAL Sadly death comes to us all and not always when expected It is important that we have a plan in place to care for or

dispose of our collections which may well contain valuable or historically significant items and may involve our local

Arms Officer in their transfer Do we have a family member who will be glad to inherit the collection intact or will it be

necessary to sell the lot in order to share the value with selected beneficiaries

When it comes to selling do we hand the whole lot to some commercial dealer who will likely earn around 25 of the

value for his efforts or do we hand it over to friends to dispose of on our behalf If it is a large collection the latter

option may be too much for an individual who may then seek the assistance of his local branch of our organization

When it comes to NZAHAA branches taking on the sale of a large collection it is important that there are clear laid

down procedures for such a process to ensure that the deceasedrsquos family are treated fairly and professionally and that

the Branch does not lay itself open to claims by disaffected third parties For example before up lifting a collection

does any third party lay claim to it in whole or in part does the family member providing the items have authority to sell

them who is legally entitled to receive the proceeds of sale When deceased estates are sold through a branch there is

often the expectation that the members will be offered first opportunity to purchase but this does not necessarily result

in the best price being achieved for the vendor It is important then that any branch taking on the sale of a large

collection has clearly defined procedures for accepting and selling the collection including a signed agreement with the

vendor and recognizing that their first duty is towards their client the vendor As the sale of a large collection can take

many months to achieve it is also important to maintain regular communication with the vendor

Before your collection is put up for sale make sure there is a clearly defined and agreed process in place

Best wishes Phil

NZ Arms Register

wwwarmsregistercom

A LEGACY OF JOHN OSBORNE 1941 - 2018

Here you can research the arms used by New Zealand Military and Police

Back issues of the e-Gazette will be found in the Articles section

Images from KUMEU MILITARIA SHOW held on 24 March 2018

THIS SCARCE GUN WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE

Northland Branch Auction 22 September 2018 NZAR ID 195 ARM TYPE Machine Gun Draft date (V1) 16 March 2012

Compiled by John Osborne DTT PhD FSG

Pattern Lewis 303rdquo LMG M1914 Introduced Into NZ 1915 Withdrawn c1960s

303rdquo Lewis Light Machine Guns m1914 served NZ forces well during WWI amp WWII

The Lewis Automatic Light Machine Gun was perfected by the British and widely used by the British

including New Zealand forces It was first used in 1915 and continued in service with a number of armed

forces through to the end of the Korean War Weighing only 127 kg (28 lb) which was around half the weight

of other machine guns of the era the Lewis became immediately popular amongst troops It could be carried

by a single soldier and was easy to load with its drum magazine The 303rdquo Lewis Gun was used by the New

Zealand Mounted Rifles in Sinai and Palestine between July 1916 and March 1917 and also fitted in early

British Mark IV tanks armoured cars and on motorcycles It was used by the Navy including the RN Air

Service and by the Royal Flying Corps and from April 1918 when the RFC and RNAS merged by the Royal

Air Force Gas‐operated and air‐cooled the Lewis Gun used a 50 round (47 were loaded to avoid jams) (later

100 (97) for aircraft) circular drum magazine By means of an adjustable clock‐type recoil spring the guns

firing rate could be regulated ranging from 500‐600 rounds per minute although shorter bursts were more

usual and with its adjustable sights and bipod support was effective to a range of 700m When used in the air

the Lewis air cooling jacket and fins could be dispensed with it then weighed just 9kg

The Birmingham Small Arms BSA factory alone made 145397 Lewis Guns during WWI

Burnham Camp Christchurch NZ 1917 March 1918 somewhere along the New Zealand Front

My NZAV Naval Sword by John Carter

On a recent trip to New Zealand (FebMar 2018) I was fortunately offered a Victorian naval

sword to add to my collection This one is different in a number of ways

The 31 inch blade is

engraved over half its

length but instead of

the usual fouled

anchor and Royal

Cypher it has a pair

of back to back wings with bolts of lightning through and on the other side a Flaming bomb and a Field Gun

Carriage (Artillery) under which are the initials NZAV (New Zealand Artillery Volunteers)

The sword retailer is Hobson amp Sons

Little Windmill Street-London c1878-

1886 under the address in the book is

mentioned 43-44 Artillery Place-

Woolwich (Artillery connection) The

proof mark at the forte ldquoprovedrdquo with

letter lsquoPrsquo Hobson amp Sons Lexington St-

London Could be lsquoPillinrsquo

This Officer must have been fairly well

off as not only did he place an order for a special blade for his Naval Sword he also had his name added in a

ribbon- ldquoCapt G Laing Measonrdquo

All Irsquove been able to find out at present is Lieutenant Colonel Lean Christchurch 13 April 1885 recommends

Acting Captain GLMeason Timaru Naval Artillery for substantive rank

1887 from Officer Commanding South Caterbury District Date 12 August 1887 subject Recommends the

appointment of Captain Gilbert Laing Meason Timaru Naval Artillery as Captain Commandant of Canterbury

Naval Division

On 6 February 1888 Captain Meason applied for a refund of 4 pound 10 shillings paid to Public Works for old

sleepers to make a platform for a 64pounder RML (Rifle Muzzle Loading) gun

On 18th September 1896 Captain Meason was disqualified owing to failure at examination for Naval

Cadetship

The sword must date from 1885-1886 when he was recommended as acting Captain As Hobson changed his

address after 1886 If anyone can add any history or photo of him I would appreciate it

johncarteronthenetcomau

THIS SCARCE GUN WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE

Northland Branch Auction 22 September 2018 NZAR ID 195 ARM TYPE Machine Gun Draft date (V1) 16 March 2012

Compiled by John Osborne DTT PhD FSG

Pattern Lewis 303rdquo LMG M1914 Introduced Into NZ 1915 Withdrawn c1960s

303rdquo Lewis Light Machine Guns m1914 served NZ forces well during WWI amp WWII

The Lewis Automatic Light Machine Gun was perfected by the British and widely used by the British

including New Zealand forces It was first used in 1915 and continued in service with a number of armed

forces through to the end of the Korean War Weighing only 127 kg (28 lb) which was around half the weight

of other machine guns of the era the Lewis became immediately popular amongst troops It could be carried

by a single soldier and was easy to load with its drum magazine The 303rdquo Lewis Gun was used by the New

Zealand Mounted Rifles in Sinai and Palestine between July 1916 and March 1917 and also fitted in early

British Mark IV tanks armoured cars and on motorcycles It was used by the Navy including the RN Air

Service and by the Royal Flying Corps and from April 1918 when the RFC and RNAS merged by the Royal

Air Force Gas‐operated and air‐cooled the Lewis Gun used a 50 round (47 were loaded to avoid jams) (later

100 (97) for aircraft) circular drum magazine By means of an adjustable clock‐type recoil spring the guns

firing rate could be regulated ranging from 500‐600 rounds per minute although shorter bursts were more

usual and with its adjustable sights and bipod support was effective to a range of 700m When used in the air

the Lewis air cooling jacket and fins could be dispensed with it then weighed just 9kg

The Birmingham Small Arms BSA factory alone made 145397 Lewis Guns during WWI

Burnham Camp Christchurch NZ 1917 March 1918 somewhere along the New Zealand Front

My NZAV Naval Sword by John Carter

On a recent trip to New Zealand (FebMar 2018) I was fortunately offered a Victorian naval

sword to add to my collection This one is different in a number of ways

The 31 inch blade is

engraved over half its

length but instead of

the usual fouled

anchor and Royal

Cypher it has a pair

of back to back wings with bolts of lightning through and on the other side a Flaming bomb and a Field Gun

Carriage (Artillery) under which are the initials NZAV (New Zealand Artillery Volunteers)

The sword retailer is Hobson amp Sons

Little Windmill Street-London c1878-

1886 under the address in the book is

mentioned 43-44 Artillery Place-

Woolwich (Artillery connection) The

proof mark at the forte ldquoprovedrdquo with

letter lsquoPrsquo Hobson amp Sons Lexington St-

London Could be lsquoPillinrsquo

This Officer must have been fairly well

off as not only did he place an order for a special blade for his Naval Sword he also had his name added in a

ribbon- ldquoCapt G Laing Measonrdquo

All Irsquove been able to find out at present is Lieutenant Colonel Lean Christchurch 13 April 1885 recommends

Acting Captain GLMeason Timaru Naval Artillery for substantive rank

1887 from Officer Commanding South Caterbury District Date 12 August 1887 subject Recommends the

appointment of Captain Gilbert Laing Meason Timaru Naval Artillery as Captain Commandant of Canterbury

Naval Division

On 6 February 1888 Captain Meason applied for a refund of 4 pound 10 shillings paid to Public Works for old

sleepers to make a platform for a 64pounder RML (Rifle Muzzle Loading) gun

On 18th September 1896 Captain Meason was disqualified owing to failure at examination for Naval

Cadetship

The sword must date from 1885-1886 when he was recommended as acting Captain As Hobson changed his

address after 1886 If anyone can add any history or photo of him I would appreciate it

johncarteronthenetcomau

Burnham Camp Christchurch NZ 1917 March 1918 somewhere along the New Zealand Front

My NZAV Naval Sword by John Carter

On a recent trip to New Zealand (FebMar 2018) I was fortunately offered a Victorian naval

sword to add to my collection This one is different in a number of ways

The 31 inch blade is

engraved over half its

length but instead of

the usual fouled

anchor and Royal

Cypher it has a pair

of back to back wings with bolts of lightning through and on the other side a Flaming bomb and a Field Gun

Carriage (Artillery) under which are the initials NZAV (New Zealand Artillery Volunteers)

The sword retailer is Hobson amp Sons

Little Windmill Street-London c1878-

1886 under the address in the book is

mentioned 43-44 Artillery Place-

Woolwich (Artillery connection) The

proof mark at the forte ldquoprovedrdquo with

letter lsquoPrsquo Hobson amp Sons Lexington St-

London Could be lsquoPillinrsquo

This Officer must have been fairly well

off as not only did he place an order for a special blade for his Naval Sword he also had his name added in a

ribbon- ldquoCapt G Laing Measonrdquo

All Irsquove been able to find out at present is Lieutenant Colonel Lean Christchurch 13 April 1885 recommends

Acting Captain GLMeason Timaru Naval Artillery for substantive rank

1887 from Officer Commanding South Caterbury District Date 12 August 1887 subject Recommends the

appointment of Captain Gilbert Laing Meason Timaru Naval Artillery as Captain Commandant of Canterbury

Naval Division

On 6 February 1888 Captain Meason applied for a refund of 4 pound 10 shillings paid to Public Works for old

sleepers to make a platform for a 64pounder RML (Rifle Muzzle Loading) gun

On 18th September 1896 Captain Meason was disqualified owing to failure at examination for Naval

Cadetship

The sword must date from 1885-1886 when he was recommended as acting Captain As Hobson changed his

address after 1886 If anyone can add any history or photo of him I would appreciate it

johncarteronthenetcomau

My NZAV Naval Sword by John Carter

On a recent trip to New Zealand (FebMar 2018) I was fortunately offered a Victorian naval

sword to add to my collection This one is different in a number of ways

The 31 inch blade is

engraved over half its

length but instead of

the usual fouled

anchor and Royal

Cypher it has a pair

of back to back wings with bolts of lightning through and on the other side a Flaming bomb and a Field Gun

Carriage (Artillery) under which are the initials NZAV (New Zealand Artillery Volunteers)

The sword retailer is Hobson amp Sons

Little Windmill Street-London c1878-

1886 under the address in the book is

mentioned 43-44 Artillery Place-

Woolwich (Artillery connection) The

proof mark at the forte ldquoprovedrdquo with

letter lsquoPrsquo Hobson amp Sons Lexington St-

London Could be lsquoPillinrsquo

This Officer must have been fairly well

off as not only did he place an order for a special blade for his Naval Sword he also had his name added in a

ribbon- ldquoCapt G Laing Measonrdquo

All Irsquove been able to find out at present is Lieutenant Colonel Lean Christchurch 13 April 1885 recommends

Acting Captain GLMeason Timaru Naval Artillery for substantive rank

1887 from Officer Commanding South Caterbury District Date 12 August 1887 subject Recommends the

appointment of Captain Gilbert Laing Meason Timaru Naval Artillery as Captain Commandant of Canterbury

Naval Division

On 6 February 1888 Captain Meason applied for a refund of 4 pound 10 shillings paid to Public Works for old

sleepers to make a platform for a 64pounder RML (Rifle Muzzle Loading) gun

On 18th September 1896 Captain Meason was disqualified owing to failure at examination for Naval

Cadetship

The sword must date from 1885-1886 when he was recommended as acting Captain As Hobson changed his

address after 1886 If anyone can add any history or photo of him I would appreciate it

johncarteronthenetcomau

SSANZ News May June 2018 wwwsportingshootersnz SSANZ PO Box 275 Whangarei 0140

Follow us on Facebook

Public Health Summer School

Several of our committee attended this event organised by the Otago University in Wellington on 14 February

primarily because it appeared that it would be dominated by people who promoted an anti-gun agenda such as

Chris Cahill and Philp Alpers Alpers was presented in a slick pre-recorded video in which he extolled the

success of disarming Pacific island nations but allowed no opportunity to challenge his assertions or ask

questions of him Cahill produced his now familiar call for tougher gun laws including registration of all

firearms Dr Vito of the SPCA produced an excellent fact based presentation on the value of firearms in

maintaining animal welfare Various pro-shooting groupsindividuals were able inject some reasoned

arguments into the discussions however many questions were suppressed when they did not suit the organisers

agenda Unfortunately the media focussed largely on the exaggerated claims of Police Association President

Chris Cahill who published his speech online even before the seminar was over and mostly ignored the issues

raised by other speakers The main public health concerns associated with firearms being suicide and the ef-

fect of lead ingestion by shooters particularly on indoor ranges

Firearms and Schools

In March the Education Ministry released a Draft guidelines for schools developing a firearms policy for

public comment SSANZ is pleased to see that this document has taken a pragmatic approach to providing

practical guidance for School Boards and Staff to allow firearms to be taken into schools and used for all

reasonable and lawful purposes The main thrust of the document is to reinforce the provisions of the Arms

Act and allow for the presence and use of firearms in schools while under the supervision of a Licensed

Firearm Owner SSANZ has made a submission supporting this document but pointed out a small number of

technical errors

Why We Shouldnrsquot Compare NZ with the USA

Whenever a shooting tragedy occurs in the USA the media and anti gun advocates here immediately start to

pose the question as to whether our firearms laws are tough enough Why New Zealand is nothing like the

USA

First the USA is a nation of 50 States all of whom have their own gun control laws some of which are very

strict and some very lax but none are anything like New Zealandrsquos gun laws So how can you compare one

thing with 50 different things which is rather like comparing one apple with a whole fruit market absurd

Second the ethnic and socio economic mix of New Zealand is vastly different to the US where strong racial

and gang tensions exist in many parts leading to violence in some major cities

Third the attitude towards firearms in NZ is significantly different to that of the USA In New Zealand a

firearm is regarded as a tool for hunting pest control or an item of sporting equipment whereas in the US it is

regarded by many as a weapon necessary for self preservation

Because bad things occur in the US with firearms it does not follow that the same things will happen here

However recent research would indicate that the more exposure these events are given in the media the more

likelihood that there will be copy-cat shootings as disturbed individuals seek their moment of fame in the

media spot light It is for this reason that acts of suicide are suppressed in the media here How long before the

media apply the same logic to mass shootings

The table below illustrates why comparing gun ownership in one country with that of another makes little

sense

Sources httpsenwikipediaorgwikiGlobal_Peace_Index

httpsenwikipediaorgwikiEstimated_number_of_guns_per_capita_by_country

Stay Safe

With the roar looming and the game bird seasons almost upon us it is timely to review the seven basic rules

of firearm safety

1 Treat every firearm as loaded

2 Always point firearms in a safe direction

3 Load a firearm only when ready to fire

4 Identify your target beyond all doubt

5 Check your firing zone

6 Store firearms and ammunition safely

7 Avoid alcohol or drugs when handling firearms

Up to 80000 deer hunters may be out in the hills over Easter so it behoves all of us to strive to follow these

rules Although most hunting injuries are caused by falls it is essential to take care with firearms because

they need our alertness and brains to avoid incidents

With approximately 40000 game bird hunters expected to pursue waterfowl and upland game birds later on in

the early winter prospects for slipping falling and having unintentional discharges of firearms are much

greater when in the field

So watch your step watch where your muzzle is pointing and enjoy your hunting safely

LOCK UP YOUR FIREARMS

Keep a Record of Make Model Serial No

Worldrsquos

Safest

Coun-

try

1st

Iceland

2nd

NZ

8th

Canada

14thndash

Aus

44th

UK

115th

USA

144th

Israel

151st

Russia

163rd

Syria

Guns

per 100

resi-

dents

303 226 308 241 62 101 73 89 39

FROM OUR READERS

In response to John Carters excellent article in the March 2018 gazette Some 3 years ago a friend of mine in

the UK alerted me to an auction taking place on Ebay UK One glance and I had to have a crack at it

The auction was for an old powder horn that had good provenance with the NZ Wars and after digging deep I

was successful in the bid

Like Johns flask it has a beautiful patena and

has an ancient smoke stained finish It is 14

12overall with wooden stopper at the sharp

end secured by a dog skin leather strap The

powder filler end is stopped off with a hard-

wood base held in place with copper nails

A faint museum label records some history of its previous ownership but hard to decipher

Maori Horn donated xxxxxxxxxxx by a soldier of the Volunteers

More interestingly is the scrimshaw etching over the horn sides On one

side the Taranaki Militia Badge is topped with the battled honour

Waireka above a view of Fort Omata On the other side a scrimshaw

sketch of Wiremu Kingi Topped with the battle honour for

Te Kohia (L shaped Pa)

The recorded reference of these incidences ie

Te Kohia 17th March 1860 and Waireka 28th

March 1860 puts this item as a workable

souvenir of the first battles of the Taranaki

Wars

Regard

Blue Thomas

Tel 07 386572

Last months mystery object was provided by Tony Bruce here is its story

Last weekend I was given a WW1 souvenir by my old uncle as he knew I would appreciate it

Its from my Grandfather who served with the NZ Canterbury Mounted Rifles (Canterbury Yeomanry

Cavalry) in Palestine in WW1

The family story is that he was given the snake by a Turkish (Ottoman) prisoner of war that he had helped

The snake is about 1 foot (30cm) long and made of small glass beads sewn onto a cloth skin and then shaped

and stuffed with fabric or sand

He also brought other souvenirs back - but they have been distributed around the greater family over time

However I do have his paybook several photos and medals

FYI - More info can be read about these POW snakes here

httpswwwawmgovauarticlesblogottoman-prisoner-of-war-beadwork

From our globe trotting correspondent

Dear Phil

As I mentioned in my last correspondence Susanne and I are back

on the road again (there is a song in there somewhere) We are

presently in Toronto Canada in the snow having just flown cross

country from Vancouver Island Whilst there we attended an

antique fair in the town of Sidney and met Tom Bown who is the

co author of the book (photo attached) which I bought It is a

fascinating little book 234 pages in colour portraying numerous

types of glass and pottery relating to its title but also fascinating

and informative chapters on the broad arrow its origin and

history There is also historical information on the use of lime

juice for Scurvy and the health and welfare of the Naval service

And more

The book cost me Can $30 Which is very reasonable However he

informed me that postage to Australasia would probable be

around the $20 mark He did however mention that he had

shipped multiple copies to an Australian customer and the post

rate was a lot more reasonable when amortised across quantity

This is information for you to treat as you like

We will be in touch again regarding the Naval Base on Vancouver Island once I get some photos sorted out

Best regards

Simon and Susanne

With Dog and Lock by Maurice Taylor

Previously published in

Black Powder magazine 2004

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE

If you can you may like to bid on them in the up coming 22 September Northland Branch Auction

PEDERSON DEVICE contributed by Neville Dodd

The Pedersen device a conversion unit intended to turn a rifle into a semiautomatic carbine to increase firepower in the

trenches of World War I Remington employee John Pedersen was a gifted gun designer who invented the original

Model 51 pistol the Model 10 pump and in collaboration with John Browning the Model 17 pump which would

become the Ithaca 37 once its patent expired

The device that bears his name was supposed to be his contribution to the WWI effort but it arrived too late The

requirements of trench fighting gave rise to the submachine in WWI where compact firepower became more important

than long range accuracy The Pedersen device didnrsquot make rifles any more compact but it increased their firepower

from five bolt-action shots to 40 semiautomatic rounds

The device was chambered for the rimless 3018 auto pistol cartridge also known by its French name of 765x20mm

Longue It was a pretty mild cartridge firing an 80-grain bullet at a velocity of just 1300 fps Essentially the Pedersen

device was a blowback action that could be fitted into the receiver of an rsquo03 Springfield very quickly and without tools

You removed the regular bolt and slid on the Pedersen device There was a short barrel section that fit into chamber of

the rifle Pedersen himself made a top-secret demonstration of the device to a group of officers and congressmen in the

fall of October 1917 He began by firing the rifle normally using the bolt and standard ammunition then pulled the bolt

out threw in the semi-auto conversion and blazed away

It was a huge hit and when General Pershing saw it in France he demanded it The rsquo03 Mark I was designed to be used

with the device and it featured ejector ports cut in the receiver and

stock The device would have been issued in a metal case with

magazines in another pouch so soldiers could almost instantly convert

their rifles from long range and accurate to short range and high rate of

fire quickly in the field In a way it was the precursor of the assault

rifle since it had both short range firepower and longer range capability

Over 160000 were made but arrived too late for the war After a

period of storage the Army decided they were obsolete and nearly all

were destroyed Only about 100 Pedersen devices survive including

this one in the NRA Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in

Springfield Mo Pederson Device in metal case

Acknowledgement httpswwwfieldandstreamcomblast-from-past-pedersen-device

With Dog and Lock by Maurice Taylor

Previously published in

Black Powder magazine 2004

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE

If you can you may like to bid on them in the up coming 22 September Northland Branch Auction

PEDERSON DEVICE contributed by Neville Dodd

The Pedersen device a conversion unit intended to turn a rifle into a semiautomatic carbine to increase firepower in the

trenches of World War I Remington employee John Pedersen was a gifted gun designer who invented the original

Model 51 pistol the Model 10 pump and in collaboration with John Browning the Model 17 pump which would

become the Ithaca 37 once its patent expired

The device that bears his name was supposed to be his contribution to the WWI effort but it arrived too late The

requirements of trench fighting gave rise to the submachine in WWI where compact firepower became more important

than long range accuracy The Pedersen device didnrsquot make rifles any more compact but it increased their firepower

from five bolt-action shots to 40 semiautomatic rounds

The device was chambered for the rimless 3018 auto pistol cartridge also known by its French name of 765x20mm

Longue It was a pretty mild cartridge firing an 80-grain bullet at a velocity of just 1300 fps Essentially the Pedersen

device was a blowback action that could be fitted into the receiver of an rsquo03 Springfield very quickly and without tools

You removed the regular bolt and slid on the Pedersen device There was a short barrel section that fit into chamber of

the rifle Pedersen himself made a top-secret demonstration of the device to a group of officers and congressmen in the

fall of October 1917 He began by firing the rifle normally using the bolt and standard ammunition then pulled the bolt

out threw in the semi-auto conversion and blazed away

It was a huge hit and when General Pershing saw it in France he demanded it The rsquo03 Mark I was designed to be used

with the device and it featured ejector ports cut in the receiver and

stock The device would have been issued in a metal case with

magazines in another pouch so soldiers could almost instantly convert

their rifles from long range and accurate to short range and high rate of

fire quickly in the field In a way it was the precursor of the assault

rifle since it had both short range firepower and longer range capability

Over 160000 were made but arrived too late for the war After a

period of storage the Army decided they were obsolete and nearly all

were destroyed Only about 100 Pedersen devices survive including

this one in the NRA Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in

Springfield Mo Pederson Device in metal case

Acknowledgement httpswwwfieldandstreamcomblast-from-past-pedersen-device

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE

If you can you may like to bid on them in the up coming 22 September Northland Branch Auction

PEDERSON DEVICE contributed by Neville Dodd

The Pedersen device a conversion unit intended to turn a rifle into a semiautomatic carbine to increase firepower in the

trenches of World War I Remington employee John Pedersen was a gifted gun designer who invented the original

Model 51 pistol the Model 10 pump and in collaboration with John Browning the Model 17 pump which would

become the Ithaca 37 once its patent expired

The device that bears his name was supposed to be his contribution to the WWI effort but it arrived too late The

requirements of trench fighting gave rise to the submachine in WWI where compact firepower became more important

than long range accuracy The Pedersen device didnrsquot make rifles any more compact but it increased their firepower

from five bolt-action shots to 40 semiautomatic rounds

The device was chambered for the rimless 3018 auto pistol cartridge also known by its French name of 765x20mm

Longue It was a pretty mild cartridge firing an 80-grain bullet at a velocity of just 1300 fps Essentially the Pedersen

device was a blowback action that could be fitted into the receiver of an rsquo03 Springfield very quickly and without tools

You removed the regular bolt and slid on the Pedersen device There was a short barrel section that fit into chamber of

the rifle Pedersen himself made a top-secret demonstration of the device to a group of officers and congressmen in the

fall of October 1917 He began by firing the rifle normally using the bolt and standard ammunition then pulled the bolt

out threw in the semi-auto conversion and blazed away

It was a huge hit and when General Pershing saw it in France he demanded it The rsquo03 Mark I was designed to be used

with the device and it featured ejector ports cut in the receiver and

stock The device would have been issued in a metal case with

magazines in another pouch so soldiers could almost instantly convert

their rifles from long range and accurate to short range and high rate of

fire quickly in the field In a way it was the precursor of the assault

rifle since it had both short range firepower and longer range capability

Over 160000 were made but arrived too late for the war After a

period of storage the Army decided they were obsolete and nearly all

were destroyed Only about 100 Pedersen devices survive including

this one in the NRA Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in

Springfield Mo Pederson Device in metal case

Acknowledgement httpswwwfieldandstreamcomblast-from-past-pedersen-device

PEDERSON DEVICE contributed by Neville Dodd

The Pedersen device a conversion unit intended to turn a rifle into a semiautomatic carbine to increase firepower in the

trenches of World War I Remington employee John Pedersen was a gifted gun designer who invented the original

Model 51 pistol the Model 10 pump and in collaboration with John Browning the Model 17 pump which would

become the Ithaca 37 once its patent expired

The device that bears his name was supposed to be his contribution to the WWI effort but it arrived too late The

requirements of trench fighting gave rise to the submachine in WWI where compact firepower became more important

than long range accuracy The Pedersen device didnrsquot make rifles any more compact but it increased their firepower

from five bolt-action shots to 40 semiautomatic rounds

The device was chambered for the rimless 3018 auto pistol cartridge also known by its French name of 765x20mm

Longue It was a pretty mild cartridge firing an 80-grain bullet at a velocity of just 1300 fps Essentially the Pedersen

device was a blowback action that could be fitted into the receiver of an rsquo03 Springfield very quickly and without tools

You removed the regular bolt and slid on the Pedersen device There was a short barrel section that fit into chamber of

the rifle Pedersen himself made a top-secret demonstration of the device to a group of officers and congressmen in the

fall of October 1917 He began by firing the rifle normally using the bolt and standard ammunition then pulled the bolt

out threw in the semi-auto conversion and blazed away

It was a huge hit and when General Pershing saw it in France he demanded it The rsquo03 Mark I was designed to be used

with the device and it featured ejector ports cut in the receiver and

stock The device would have been issued in a metal case with

magazines in another pouch so soldiers could almost instantly convert

their rifles from long range and accurate to short range and high rate of

fire quickly in the field In a way it was the precursor of the assault

rifle since it had both short range firepower and longer range capability

Over 160000 were made but arrived too late for the war After a

period of storage the Army decided they were obsolete and nearly all

were destroyed Only about 100 Pedersen devices survive including

this one in the NRA Sporting Arms Museum at Bass Pro Shops in

Springfield Mo Pederson Device in metal case

Acknowledgement httpswwwfieldandstreamcomblast-from-past-pedersen-device

FROM THE GUN ROOM by Andrew Edgcombe

New Zealand was under threat from Japan early in the

Second World War the majority of our fighting men

were overseas and the under resourced Home Guard

was doing what it could with whatever kit and

weaponry was available and at times resorted to the

use and manufacture of expedient type weapons

Molotov cocktails crudely made grenades using

wooden handles and water pipe or concrete Knuckle

type fighting knives and I believe the odd mortar was

also produced locally I have visions of workshop

evenings and working bees to produce these

implements of war I recall when the knives like the one depicted arrived on the local market apparently

released from stock at Waiouru I have since heard they may have been manufactured by the Home Guard in

Northland They could be found at gun shows for a couple years and then they disappeared as the few that

were around were absorbed into collections With the sale of the Rasmussen collection over the past four years

at Wellington Branch NZAHAArsquos annual auction some of these knives that Ian

had in his collection have gone under the hammer Ian collected variations and

there were a couple of different style knuckle bows on these knives and what

ever other variation he spotted he added to his collection The knives are also

depicted in the SkennertonRichardson British and Commonwealth Bayonet

book

The knives are crudely made a double edged dagger type blade of around 6

inches in length Wooden grips riveted in place with a thick leather washer top

and bottom The knuckle bow is welded to the cross guard and pommel Even

though crude they fit well in the hand and would do exactly what they were

designed to do with all the efficiency of a finely finished knife Thankfully out

Home Guardsmen never had to test such weaponry in the defence of New

Zealand They were however ready and would have given it their all if called

upon

NZAHAA POSTAL SHOOT RESULTS

First Second Third

MSSA Ruahine Hawkes Bay Southland

Military rifle Ruahine Southland Hawkes bay

Cadet Rifle Ruahine Hawkes Bay Southland

Sniper Rifle Southland Ruahine Nelson

Lever Action Rifle Hawkes Bay Southland Ruahine

Black Powder Rifle Southland Hawkes Bay Ruahine

Rim Fire Rifle Northland HB amp SL Ruahine

BP Shotgun Hawkes bay Ruahine ------

Nitro Shotgun Ruahine Northland Hawkes bay

Top Individuals Top Teams

T Robinson Ruahine 3595 Ruahine 16691

J Ayto Hawkes Bay 2285 Hawkes bay 15968

B Horton Hawkes bay 2197 Southland 14673

N Johnson Nelson 2108 Nelson 811

M Barkman Southland 2095 Northland 4155

MYSTERY OBJECT (below right) answer please to oilyragxtraconz

Last months (below left ) Noel taylor said it is a leather and bead snake usually manufactured in WWI by

Turkish POWrsquos and sold to the guards and others to fund their personal purchases like cigarettes etc There are

some on display at the Auckland Museum in the WWI section of Scars on the Heart

WANTED

YOUR

CONTRIBUTIONS

ARTICLES NEWS PHOTOS

GUN ROOM PICTURES

MYSTERY OBJECTS

An article can be long (several pages of A4) or short (half a page of A4) ideally forwarded as

a word doc with separate jpg images and a list of captions

If you want your events advertised please return the favour by sending a short write-up and

some images after the event Thanks

MYSTERY OBJECT (below right) answer please to oilyragxtraconz

Last months (below left ) Noel taylor said it is a leather and bead snake usually manufactured in WWI by

Turkish POWrsquos and sold to the guards and others to fund their personal purchases like cigarettes etc There are

some on display at the Auckland Museum in the WWI section of Scars on the Heart

WANTED

YOUR

CONTRIBUTIONS

ARTICLES NEWS PHOTOS

GUN ROOM PICTURES

MYSTERY OBJECTS

An article can be long (several pages of A4) or short (half a page of A4) ideally forwarded as

a word doc with separate jpg images and a list of captions

If you want your events advertised please return the favour by sending a short write-up and

some images after the event Thanks

BUY SELL OR SWAP List items free for two issues ( indicates final listing)

THESE LISTINGS MAY ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN NZ GUNS amp HUNTING MAGAZINE Please

advise if you do not want this when placing your Ad

WANTED MP5K or MP5 Contact Tim 021 2676 862 or tmorahan7mecom

WANTED Reinforcement number badges to complete a full set 111213141517193033

Contact Graham 09 411 7779 or 027 475 9246 grahambrimblextraconz

UP COMING EVENTS - If you have dates for events in 2018 please advise oilyragxtraconz

2018

29 April Carvellrsquos Auction Auckland

26 May Ruahine Arms Fair Palmerston North

9 June SSANZ Guns Show Whangarei

1 July Auckland Branch Gun Show Alexander Park

7 amp 8 July Wellington Branch Auction Porirua

21 July Mainland Arms amp Militaria Show Christchurch

18 amp 19 August Tauranga Arms amp Militaria Show

26 amp 27 August Militaria Auction Paraparaumu

1 September Ruahine Branch Auction Palmerston North

22 September NZAHAA HYGM amp Northland Branch Auction Whangarei

10 amp 11 November Armistice in Cambridge

2019

23 amp24 February Shot Expo ASB show ground Auckland

8 amp 9 March NZCCC AGM Darfield

Discounted sales to Members of

NZAHAA

Actual discount will depend upon the value of the

sale

HAYES amp ASSOCIATES LTD

P O BOX 188

CARTERTON 5743

063796692 wwwhayes-associatesconzindexhtm

RUAHINE ANTIQUE ARMS INC

WE ARE TAKING QUALITY ITEMS COLLECTIONS ETC FOR OUR

AUCTION ON

1 September 2018

PICKUPS CAN BE ARRANGED AT YOUR

CONVENIENCE

PLEASE PHONE TONY MATTHEWS On 06 374 9164 or 027 244 5186

OR EMAIL ruahineauctionhotmailconz